There are two reasons you have man boobs. Really there is three, but number three is just the first two combined. The first reason is hormone imbalance. The second reason is chest fat.
The second reason dominates the man boob world. To get rid of man boobs, You and I need to solve our weight issues. To control body weight, there are two options: diet and exercise. To understand how to control my weight, I need to understand how diets often handcuff weight loss efforts rendering them ineffective. First let’s understand some basic WEIGHT LOSS RULES.
First let’s calculate my Basal Metabolic Rate. I need to know my gender, height weight and age. The BMR is the number of calories I will burn if I just lay in bed all day. I search Google for ‘Basal Metabolic Rate Calculator’. There is a free calculator available. I input the data. Boom there is the magic number, 1639 calories. As I add activity, then my daily calorie intake ‘break even point’ will increase.
My activity level must burn up my BMR plus any additional calories that I consume just so that I break even. If I burn less, I gain weight. If I burn more, I lose weight. I can count calories, fat, carbs, whatever, but it all comes down to simple math … burn more calories than I eat.
WEIGHT LOSS RULE #1 – BURN MORE THAN YOU EAT.
The second facet one must understand is very troubling to almost everyone. I cannot tell my body where to lose weight. The fat I shed can not be selected by specific diets or exercises. I will shed weight over my whole body.
The third facet involves the two types of fat. Human bodies store energy as fat in two ways. The first way is the jiggly type called subcutaneous fat. Subcutaneous fat, as one might surmise, is fat just below the skin. This is the fat most easily lost via diet.
WEIGHT LOSS RULE #2 – DIET FOR JIGGLES.
The second and much more insidious manner of fat storage is visceral fat. Visceral fat is the fat among located between your internal organs. This fat is usually very difficult to lose and is best addressed with cardio-vascular exercise.
WEIGHT LOSS RULE #3 – EXERCISE FOR POT BELLIES.
The fourth facet involves the human animal. I am lazy and I have no will power.
WEIGHT LOSS RULE #4 – EAT LESS, WORRY LESS, EXERCISE MORE, FORGIVE OFTEN.
OK. That’s enough facets and rules, I need to develop a strategy to lose weight. Here are some weapons:
-appetite suppressants
-metabolic rate boosters
-promote efficient use of insulin
-reduction of stress
-increase the ‘feel good hormone’
-cardio-vascular exercise.
Appetite suppressants are very popular. The main concern with this weapon is the side effects. I prefer natural ingredients like Caralluma Fimbriata, a succulent cactus from India. There are a number of supplements today which claim to be appetite suppressant. Almost all originate with stories of native hunters from India, Africa or South America. The compromising aspect of this strategy is the ‘intelligence’ of our body. When our body believes that it is being threatened by starvation, then our body stores fat as a contingency against death by starvation. While appetite suppressants can be effective, careful monitoring of your health is strongly recommended. Also natural versus pharmaceutical products are strongly recommended.
There are a number of pharmaceutical products which claim to be metabolic rate boosters. The artificial version of these products is neither advised nor effective for long term results. However, there are many natural substances which elevate the metabolic rate: green tea extract, chromium picolinate and cayenne are some examples.
Any discussion of obesity must include insulin. The effective operation of insulin is vital to maintain the balance of hormonal and metabolic functions. ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) reduces insulin resistance. Chromium Picolinate helps process insulin.
Stress is a prime factor in obesity. Stress causes our metabolic and hormonal system to operate inefficiently which results in fat storage. Vitamin B Complex (B6/B9/B12) has both anti-stress and anti-aging properties.
Increasing the ‘feel good hormone’ allows us to feel satisfied and to decline that extra portion or dessert offer at a meal. Green Tea Extract (Theoamine) and Cocoa Extract (Theobromine) boost Seratonin production in the brain … ‘feel good hormone’.
The last arrow in my quiver may be the most important. Cardio-Vascular exercise is critical to overall health. As mentioned earlier it may be the only way to seriously reduce visceral fat. Although regular exercise can be a challenge to most people, remember that there is a pleasant reward. Not only will I often generate ‘feel good hormones’ but I have also burned up some calories.
Herbal medicine is the use of leaves, barks, roots and flowers of plants for the treatment or prevention of ailments or the promotion of good health. Like China, the Philippines is another country long known for using herbal medicines long before its popularity in the west. In recent years, medical researchers, organizations, pharmaceutical companies and government health agencies took a serious look at folkloric herbal medicines often used by Filipinos in rural areas.
Research and studies by the academe, industries and government confirm the effectively of certain herbs in the treatment of diseases. Many of these herbs also proved to have health benefits in addition to their curative value. The Philippine Department of Health, after thorough evaluation and years of clinical trials have endorsed 10 herbal plants as alternative medicines for various diseases ranging from asthma, hypertension to diabetes.
The 10 herbs endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health are:
1. Akapulko for fungal infections.
2. Ampalaya for diabetes.
3. Bawang for hypertension.
4. Bayabas as antiseptic.
5. Lagundi for asthma
6. Niyog-niyogan for intestinal infestation
7. Sambong as a diuretic
8. Tsaang Gubat for intestinal motility
9. Ulasimang Bato for gout
10. Yerba Buena as analgesic
Caution however is advised to those who wish to try herbal medicines. A lot of research is still to be done and standards of dosage have to be established. Many of the commercially available herbal medicines are listed as supplements and have not passed the stringent standards required by the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration. Some herbal medicines also react to prescription & nonprescription drugs. Always consult your doctor before taking any herbal medicine.
Community elder care helps to highlight elder care issues in the community and solve the problems faced by elderly people. It plays a vital role in tackling the problems of anxiety, depression, stress, life crisis and grief found in elders.
Adult homes in a community are perfect places to give elder care under the guidance of qualified personnel. Fitness programs scheduled in the community provides physical health and mental relaxation. Competitive and health focused programs conducted in senior centers; parks and recreation places are very useful in creating a happy living for elders.
Community medical personnel make monthly visits to the elderly in their area to make sure that their health issues are addressed and treated if necessary. These regular visits are vital to the well being of senior citizens in the community. Community based programs are conducted to give them a common place to gather and partake in various activities include walks, talent shows, etc. Getting together and sharing feelings of happiness and distress is a great relief from loneliness for elders.
There are interactive classes that enlighten the community on how to share in elderly care. These classes also give advice on how to detect signs of neglect, exploitation, health issues and safety measures.
Community health improvement programs for elders are made possible through fund raising. These funds can be utilized to serve elders in various ways including providing meals, medical treatment and proper housing. Community nursing services are also provided for elderly people who are incapable of independent living. Education in chronic disease management is useful in regulating tension and fear about a particular disease. Legal assistance should be given to solve problems of expulsion, financial and other civil matters. Several referral and outreach services provide programs for handicapped elders.